With its debut fast approaching at the Shanghai Auto Show in a couple of weeks and images leaking all over the internet, Maserati has revealed the first photos and initial details on its new Ghibli. Slotting below the Quattroporte (which has grown to S-Class/7 Series size in its current iteration), the new Ghibli is set to take the fight to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Maserati also says the Ghibli embodies a "sportier character compared to the larger Quattroporte".

The Modense automaker has also revealed what engines will power the sport sedan. While earlier speculation suggested that the Ghibli would get also get the QP's new turbo V8, Maserati has announced that power will be provided by two versions of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 – ditching the larger twin-turbo V8 – driving through an eight-speed automatic to either the rear wheels or all four. That doesn't close the door, however, to a future V8 version. The Ghibli will also be the first Maserati to offer a diesel option, in this case a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel. Maserati hopes the new Ghibli will help it reach 50,000 sales annually to take it out of the fringe and into the mainstream.